Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze

I myself don't really subscribe to the cheese and apples rule, but my Grandma always recites that saying and it makes me laugh!

I just could not get over the size of these apples! Uncle Rog has a bumper crop and their pickin' is in full swing with Jayne at the helm of the pallet sled. It was cool to watch them all in action. These apples are awesome for pie-baking, you can scale down your peelin' and corin' from 5-6 apples to just 3-4 of these monsters. For kid snackin', I liked this idea...

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/mini-caramel-apples-688916/

And if you're swimming in red and golden goodness like we are (but don't need to make applesauce because your 91-year-old Grandmother supplies the entire family!), here's another winner recipe:

Apple cake
2 C sugar
2/3 C oil
2 C flour
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
C chopped walnuts
5 green apples, thinly sliced

Beat eggs and oil until foamy, Add rest of ingredients. Bake in a greased 9 x12 pan 45 min. at 350 degrees. Frosting (If you're lucky enough to have Manda's frosting recipe, I substitute that instead--) Beat 2 C powdered sugar. 3 Tsp melted buter, 2 tsp vanilla and 6 oz cream cheese. Frost cake. Eat. Enjoy, Then eat another piece.

This recipe is pretty good too, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-with-streusel-topping-recipe/index.html. *If you're appletite is still unsatisfied, you can always try your hand at Apple Brandy, recipe below.

This piece of fruit is amazing, crazy to think that China produces more apples than we do!

• The apple is a pomaceous fruit, prized for its high yields and long storage life. It is easy to ship, resistant to disease, and popular for its flavor which can be sweet or tart, depending on the varietal. Roughly 55 million tons of apples are produced each year.

• Fast Facts

  1. China is the largest grower, followed by the U.S.
  2. Washington State accounts for 60% of the U.S. commercial apple market
  3. Often made into apple pie, applesauce, apple juice and vinegar.
  4. High in fiber
  5. Fermented apple juice becomes Hard Cider
  6. Fermented and distilled apple juice produces Applejack or Apple Brandy
  7. Pippin is the name used instead of apple for several tart varieties.

• Top 10 Apple Producers

  1. China
  2. United States (Top Grower: Excelsior Farms)
  3. Turkey
  4. Iran
  5. Italy
  6. France
  7. Poland
  8. Russia
  9. Germany
  10. India

  
  

  Popular Apple Varieties

  1. Granny Smith Apple
  2. Gala Apple
  3. Golden Delicious Apple
  4. Red Delicious Apple
  5. Fuji Apple
  6. Braeburn Apple
  7. Pinata Apple
  8. Empire Apple
  9. McIntosh Apple
  10. Pink Lady Apple
  11. Rome Beauty Apple
  12. Pippin Apple
  13. Ginger Gold Apple
  14. Gravenstein Apple
  15. Honeycrisp Apple
  16. Jonagold Apple

What's yer favorite flavor???? I vote for Empire and Honeycrisp, although I love the name Pippin Apple...

Moo is 2

Sweet Amelia M. Moo is officially 2! We celebrated with a "Tu-2 Tea Party" for the gals. When did my little bald babbling baby turn into a walking, talking, willful and wonderful toddler (no connection between the willful and wonderful obviously)? Between these birthday and pre-school milestones, I'm getting way too sentimental. Perhaps it's time for another baby...

Returning from upstairs to continue post...or perhaps the perceived "maturity" of my growing kids is just a mirage after all. I just ran up to check on Charlie who was moaning loudly in his bunk. He was obviously having a bad dream so I pulled him down to comfort him. He was muttering senseless dream mumbles in his sleepy state and it was kind of nice to snuggle with him for a minute. And then I realized he was peeing on me.